Switch-stand.



P. (1'. ANDERSON.

SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1907.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

4 wanes THE NORRIS F'E rzRs 04, wAsm/"aram D- c tion.

UNITED sra'gns PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. ANDERSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN VALVE &METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

SWITCH-STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 14:, 1907.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

Serial No. 378,905.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Stands, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for insuring safety in the use of railroadswitches.

The object of my invention is to provide a switch stand having mechanismwhereby the target operates with the interlocking mechanismindependently of the switch operating mechanism, and also to providemeans whereby an employee in operating the switch to close it cannotshow the target in a clear position and lock the switch if there shouldbe an obstruction between the point rail and the stock rail preventingthe point rail from bearing against the stock rail or if the switchshould be disconnectedfrom the switch stand. I also provide meanswhereby an employee cannot lock the switch stand when in open position,and means whereby the switch stand with target and operating mechanismcan be destroyed under traffic and leave the point rails in lockedposition.

My invention consists in a switch stand, a

main shaft in said switch stand by means of which the switch point railsare moved, a target shaft inde endent of said main shaft, a targetmounte on said target shaft, a handle plunger adapted to engage thehandle, an interlocking bar adapted to be attached to the point rail andto move therewith, an interlocking plunger adapted to engage and holdsaid interlocking bar, means whereby the movement of said handle plungerand target is controlled by said interlocking plunger and means wherebythe locking of said main shaft in stationary position is controlled bysaid handle plunger.

My invention also consists in the parts and in the details andconstruction of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described andclaimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a switch standembodying my inven- The dotted lines represent the position of the partswhen the switch is open and the target is in danger position. Fig. 2 isa side elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top plate of thestand in which the main shaft is revolved 180 as in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is aplan view of a modification of the 1 top plate in which the main shaftis only revolved 90. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the handle plunger as usedwhen the main shaft is revolved 180, parts of the stand being shown in'section. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a han dle plunger as used when themain shaft is only revolved 90. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view ofthe yoke which forms a bearing for the target shaft and a partialbearing for the main shaft. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of theinterlocking plunger guide, part of the interlocking plunger and therack thereon showing the manner in which the rack is mounted in theguide. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the end of theinterlocking bar showing the hole which receives the interlockingplunger. Fig. 10 is a bottom plan View of the hub which supports thecam. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of part of the handle.

As shown in the drawing my invention consists of the stand 1 in which isjournaled vertically the main shaft 2, said shaft having bearings formedpartly in the stand 1 and partly in the yokes 3 which are secured tosaid stand by means of the bolts 4. The main shaft extends upwardlythrough the top plate 5 of the stand and has keyed to it above the toplate 5 the fulcrum-head 6 of the jointec handle lever 7, the main shaftbeing supported by the pin 8 taking through the fulcrum head 6. At itslower end, the main shaft 2 carries the crank 9 to which would beattached the connecting rod of the point rail of the switch. The fulcrumhead 6 of the jointed handle lever 7 has the handle 10 pivoted at 11therein and said handle is adapted to enter the slots 12 in the topplate 5 to hold the main shaft 2, and consequently the point rails,stationary. jection 13 above its pivotal connection at 11, whichprojection has an opening 14 adapted to receive the bow or shackle ofthe padlock. The handle plunger 15 is mounted within the stand 1 so asto slide vertically on the guides 16 thereof and has the opening 17 bywhich it is adapted to slide over the main shaft 2.

The interlocking bar 18, adapted to be attached to the point rail of theswitch and to move therewith, has a bearing in the interlocking plungerguide 19 near its end, and the interlocking plunger 20 is horizontallyand slidably mounted in the interlocking plunger guide 19 so that itsend 21. will enter the hole 22 in the interlocking bar 18. The

The handle 10 has the proparts are so proportioned that the end 21 ofthe interlocking plunger 20 can only enter the hole 22 of theinterlocking bar 18 when the point rail of the switch has been broughtclosely against the stock rail, thus making it safe for trains to passover the switch. The interlocking plunger 20 has the rack 23 rigidlyattached thereto u ithin the interlocking plunger guide 19, andsupported and guided thereby, as is best shown in Fig. 8. The guide 19is rigidly secured to plate 1.9 and is provided with recess 19 to support and limit the movement of the plunger rack 23, thus controlling themovement of the target and interlocking mechanism. The plate 19 is themeans provided to make the interlocking and target mechanism independentof the switch operating mechanism in order to permit the operatingmechanism to be destroyed under traffic and leave the switch in lockedposition. A coil spring 24 is confined between the rack 23 and the endof the interlocking plunger guide 19 around the continuation 20 of theinterlocking plunger 20 so that the end 21 of the inter locking plunger20 will be made to enter the hole 22 in the interlocking bar 18,aut0matically, when said hole 22 has reached the proper position.

For withdrawing the interlocking plunger 20 from the hole 22 to open thes? itch, the segmental gear 25 is mounted in the housing 26 in mesh withthe rack 23, and has the treadle 27 extending outside the housing 26 sothat it may be depressed by the foot of the operative throwing theswitch. Preferably a cover 28 is placed over the opening through whichthe treadle 27 extends and is attached to and moves with said treadle27.

The plunger rod 29 is mounted vertically in the housing 26 and carriesat its lower end the stirrup 30 within which is engaged the bell crankextension 31 of the segmental gear 25 so that when the segmental gear 25is depressed by means of the treadle 27, the bell crank extension 31rises and carries upward with it the plunger rod 29. This plunger rod 29is offset at 32 and is preferably provided with the turnbuckle 33forming part of its horizontal extension, past which said plunger rod 29again extends upwardly into the opening 34 in the handle plunger 15, inwhich it is secured preferably by the nut 35. The handle plun er 15 isthus raised to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1, by depressingthe segmental gear 25 and is allowed to fall again only when the end 21of the interlocking plunger 20 has been permitted to enter the hole 22in the interlocking bar 18 under gravity and pressure of the coil spring24.

The target shaft 36 is rigidly mounted in the yokes 3 along side themain shaft 2, the opening 37 being provided in the yokes 3 to receivesaid target shaft 36, thus adapting the yokes 3 to form supports bothfor the main shaft 2 as hereinbefore described, and for the target shaft36 as above stated. The handle lunger 15 has opening 17 through whichthe target shaft 36 and main shaft 2 pass. Upon the upper end of thetarget shaft 36 is mounted the hub 38 rigidly secured thereto preferablyby means of threads 39 and pin 40 passing through the hub and targetshaft. Said hub 38 has in its upper part the socket 41 which forms apivotal bearing for the cam 42. The cam 42 carries rigidly attached toitthe target 43 which has the usual blades 44 and 45 signifying closedand open positions, respectively of the switch. It will thus be seenthat the target 43 with its blades 44 and 45 operates independently ofthe main shaft 2 by which the point rails of the switch are moved. Thehub 38 also has the preferably rectangular opening 46 in the lowerportion which forms a guide for the operating rod 47 screwed to thehandle plunger 15 in threaded socket 48 in its extension 49. Theoperating rod 47 is also preferably formed rectangular to correspondwith the opening 46 and carries near its upper end a roller bearing 50which engages within the slot 51 of the cam 42, said slot 51 being ofsuch shape that when the handle plunger 15 travels from its lowermost toits 11 permost position raising the operating rod 47, the roller bearing50 will act to revolve the cam 42 and consequently the target 43 withits blades 44 and 45 through one-quarter of a revolution, thus changingthe signal given by the target from clear to danger, indicating that theswitch is in unlocked position. It is obvious that the signal of thetarget can not return from "danger to clear position unless the handleplunger 15 has again fallen to its lowermost position and as the handleplunger 15 is controlled through the plunger rod 29, segmental gear 25and rack 23 by the interlocking plunger 20 bearing against theinterlocking bar 18, said handle plunger cannot fall unless theinterlocking plunger 20 enters the hole 22 in the interlocking bar 18.Therefore it is necessary for the oint rail to which the interlockingbar 18 is attached to come closely against the stock rail of the switch,and thus permit the hole 22 to reach the proper position to admit theend 21. of the interlocking plunger 20 before the target 43 can show aclear signal. The plunger 15 is provided with. a lug 52 on one side toenter hole 53 of handle 10 when the switch is in closed position and itis also provided with a lug 52 on in a perfectly closed position and atthe same time a right and left switch stand is provided for, withinterlocking mechanism to conform with it in either right or leftposition.

In order to revent locking of the switch in unsafe positlon, such asmight result from an obstruction being between the point rail and stockrail or the switch disconnected from the switch stand, I provide thehandle 10 with a hole 53 in such a position as to receive the lug 52only when the handle plunger 15 has dropped to its lowermost positionwhich it is permitted to occupy by the entering of the interlockingplunger 20 into the hole 22 in interlocking bar 18, as shown by fulllines in Fig. 1. The parts are so proortioned that unless the holes 53of the andle 10 admits the lug 52 the handle 10 cannot drop to aposition whereby the open ing 13 in the extension 14 on the opposite endof the handle 10 will admit the bow of the padlock for locking theswitch, thus informing the employee that the switch is not in properosition. It will therefore be seen that it is necessary for the lug 52of the handle plunger 15 to .enter the hole 53 of the handle 10 and theinterlocking plunger 20 to enter the hole 22 into interlocking bar 18before the target can show a clear signal and before the switch can belooked, as shown by heavy lines in Fig. 1.

As the target shaft 36 and operating shaft 47 may be of any desiredlength, the target 43 can be placed sufficiently high to enableemployees on a train to see said target, and as said target is at alltimes controlled by the interlocking apparatus and not by the switchthrowing apparatus, it is obvious that there can be no deception to suchemployees on the train as to the true condition of the switch. Neitherwill it be possible for the employees on the train who are signaled byan employee who is supposed to have closed the switch and locked it, tobe deceived by the signal iven bysuch employee, as they are truthfullyinformed by the target as to whether such employee had closed andlocked the switch in safe position.

The target mechanism, being independent of the switch mechanism, is thesame whe ther the main shaft of the switch throwing mechanism hedesigned to revolve through a greater or a less degree of movement, itonly being necessary to modify the top plate 5 and the handle plunger 15as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, respectively.

Although the target mechanism is entirely independent of the switchthrowing apparatus, it forms a perfect index to the completeness of theoperation of the switch throwing apparatus, whether the inefficiency ofthe switch throwing apparatus should be due either to the carelessnessof the operative or to some defect or obstruction in the parts of theswitch or switch throwing apparatus which would tend to deceive theoperative, such as an obstruction beyween the oint rail and stock railof sufficient size to eave the switch in a dangerous position while atthe same time not being large enough to cause an appreciable amount ofopposition to the operative in bringing the handle of the switch aroundto the position for looking, as is possible with the ordinary form ofswitch stand. In such ordinary form of switch stand, al though theobstruction would be present with all of its possibilities of causingdisaster, the switchman, if he did not detect such obstruction by anappreciable increase of force required to close the switch would bringthe handle of the switch into position and lock it, the target wouldfalsely indicate a clear track and the employee having charge of anoncoming train being guided by the signal shown, would have no knowledgeof the obstruction and consequent danger resulting therefrom. The samemay be said in case the rod between the main shaft of the switch standand the point rail should become disconnected. In this case the switchstand could be locked and show the target in clear position, at the sametime leaving the switch open, which. condition might not be detected bythe employee, who is supposed to have tl'irown the switch, by theconsequent; less degree of force required. to bring the handle of theswitch into position for locking.

With my improved switch operating mechanism, the duty of detecting anyirregularity in the switch itself is removed from the operative to thointerlocking mechanism, which, being allowed only a slight margin ofmovement and not being subjected to heavy strains, will continuously andunfailingly indicate both the degree and perfection of the work of theoperative and the elliciency of the mechanism.

While I have shown and described a peculiar construction herein, I donot wish to be understood as limiting myself to it but v Vhat I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a switch stand, a main shaft therein adapted to move the ointrails of the switch, a handle lever by w iich said main shaft isrevolved, means for locking said handle lever, a target shaft mounted onsaid switch stand, a target mounted on said target shaft, aninterlocking bar slidably mounted and independent of said switch standand connected to one of said point rails, said interlocking bar having ahole therein, an interlocking plunger slidably mounted and independentof said switch stand adapted to enter said hole, operative connectionbetween said interlocking plunger and said target, means for operatingsaid lunger and for operating said target throng 1 said operativeconnection independently of said main revolved, a slot in said switchstand adapted to receive said lever to hold said main shaft stationary,a hole in said lever adapted to receive the bow of a padlock, a targetshaft mounted on said switch stand, a target mounted on said targetshaft, a handle plunger mounted in said switch stand and verticallyslidable therein, operative connection between said handle plunger andsaid. target, an interlocking bar adapted to be at tached to the pointrail of the switch and to move therewith, an interlocking plungeradapted to engage said interlocking bar to hold it in fixed position,operative connection between said interlocking plunger and said handleplunger provided with means for operating said interlocking plungermanually, and a lug adapted to move with said handle plunger and toengage said handle lever to control the insertion of the bow of apadlock into said opening in said handle lever, whereby the position ofsaid target and the locking of said handle lever are controlled by theposition of said point rail independently of said main shaft.

3. In a switch stand, a main shaft therein adapted to move the pointrail of the switch, a handle lever by which said main shaft is revolved,a slot in said switch stand adapted to receive said lever to hold saidmain shaft stationary, a hole in said lever adapted to receive the bowof a padlock, a target shaft rigidly mounted. on said switch stand, acam pivotally mounted on said target shaft, a target rigidly mounted onsaid cam, a handle plunger mounted in said switch stand and verticallyslidable therein, an operating rod attached to said handle plunger, aprojection on said operating rod engaging said cam, a projection on saidhandle plunger adapted to engage said handle lever, an interlocking baradapted to be attached to the point rail of the switch and to movetherewith, an interlocking plunger, operative connection be tween saidinterlocking plunger and said handle plunger provided with means foroperating said interlocking plunger manually, said interlocking barhaving a hole adapted to receive said interlocking plunger whereby saidtarget is allowed to assume a clear position, said interlocking bar andinterlocking plunger being slidably mounted independently of saidswitch. stand, said handle lever having an opening adapted to receivethe lug on said handle plunger whereby the bow of the padlock may beinserted in said opening in said handle lever when said interlockingplunger is within said hole in said interlocking bar.

4. In a switch stand, a main shaft therein adapted to move the pointrail of the switch, means for revolving said shaft, means for lockingsaid shaft in stationary position, a target mounted on said switchoperating mechanism independently of said main shaft, an interlockingbar adapted to be at tached to the point rail of the switch, a hole insaid interlocking bar, an interlocking plunger adapted to enter saidhole in said interlocking bar, said interlocking bar and saidinterlocking plunger being mounted independently of said switch,operative connection between said interlocking plunger and said targetprovided with means for operating said interlocking plunger manuallytherewith, whereby said operative connection is adapted to control themeans for lock ing said main shaft and whereby the position of saidtarget is controlled by the position of said point rail independently ofsaid main shaft.

5. In a switch stand, a main shaft adapted to move the point rails of aswitch, a handle lever by which said main shaft is revolved, a targetshaft mounted on said switch stand, a target mounted on said targetshaft, a plunger slidably mounted in said switch stand and having rotaryengaging connection with said target whereby said target is rotated andobstructive engaging means with said handle lever, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

6. In a switch stand, an interlocking bar connected to the point rail ofa switch, a

plunger adapted to engage and hold said in terlocking ar, a rack securedto said plunger, a segmental gear engaging said rack and having atreadle by which to throw said plunger out of engagement with saidinterlocking vbar and a spring engaging said rack to return saidplunger, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a switch stand of the character described, a main shaft adapted tomove the point rail of a switch, interlocking mechanism connected to andadapted to be moved by the movement of said switch, a target shafthaving operative connection with said interlocking mechanism, and yokesadapted to hold said main shaft and said target shaft, substantially asset forth.

8. In a switch stand of the character described, a target shaft, atarget mounted in the top thereof, a cam secured to the target androtatably mounted on the target shaft, an operating rod having meansadapted to engage said cam and means for reciprocating said operatingrod longitudinally, whereby said target is revolved, substantially asset forth.

9. In a switch stand of the character described, an interlocking barhaving a single opening therein, a plunger adapted to enga e within saidopening to hold said interoc ing bar, a rack secured to said plunger, asegmental gear having a treadle for recipro cating said racklongitudinally, the longitudinal movement of said rack being controlledby said interlocking bar according to the postifiion of said opening,substantially as set 10. In a switch stand of the character described,an interlocking bar, a lunger adapted to enga e and hold said interocking bar, a handle plunger having lugs thereon and means forsimultaneously moving said plungers, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

11. In a, switch stand, a main shaft adapted to move the point rails ofa switch, an interlocking bar connected to said switch, a plungeradapted to engage and hold said interlocking bar, means for operatingsaid plunger, vertical guides on said switch stand, a handle plungeradapted to engage and move upon said vertical guides, and lugs upon saidhandle plunger, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a switch stand of the character described, switch throwing andinterlocking mechanism, a target shaft, a cam having a spiral roovetherein mounted and adapted to revo ve thereon, a target on said cam, an

operating rod adapted to be reciprocated lengthwise thereof and having abearing adapted to traverse said spiral groove to revolve said target,substantially as set forth.

13. In a switch stand, a main shaft adapted to move the oint rails of aswitch, a target shaft indepenc ent of said main shaft, a target mountedon said target shaft, a handle plunger adapted to engage the handle, aninterlocking bar adapted to be attached to the point rail and to movetherewith, an interlocking plunger adapted to engage and hold saidinterlocking bar, means whereby the movement of said handle plunger andtarget is controlled by said interlocking plunger and means whereby thelocking of said main shaft in stationary position is controlled by saidhandle plunger, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with a switch stand of the character described, ofan interlocking bar havin a hole therein, an interlocking plungeradapted to enter said hole, a guide for said interlocking plungermounted independently of said switch stand, and operative connectionbetween said switch stand and said interlocking plunger capable ofautomatic disengagement, whereby displacement of said switch stand willnot be communicated to said interlocking plunger, substantially as setforth.

FRANK C. ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

JAMES N. RAMSEY, Rosa F. KIEHL.

